Best Motorcycle Jacks

What Features to Compare

Design

When you are choosing a motorcycle jack, you should know the faults of your motorcycle and kind of repairs to be done. These factors will determine the motorcycle jack design to look for. There are two types of motorcycle jacks on the market, which are hydraulic and mechanical. Hydraulic jacks work under Pascal's law and feature the application of the fluid pressure to lift motorcycles. The jack ensures easy and quick lifting of high loads, saving your time and efforts. The lifting capacity of hydraulic jacks is much higher than the mechanical types. As for the mechanical jacks, they have simple design and work by applying a manual force to levers for lifting. They are usually used for lightweight motorcycles (550 – 700 lbs). Furthermore, you should consider the installation; the jacks may be stationary and wheeled. The stationary jacks are mostly used in service stations and garages specifically for automobile repairs such as motorcycles, cars etc. They have staunch bodies and are equipped with lifting platforms. The wheeled models are usually equipped with casters for easy hand-driving from one place to another. The jacks are mostly used in garages or small private workshops because of their compact size and the little space they occupy.

Lifting platform type

Once you define the design of your jack, next to be considered is the type of its lifting platform. There are two types of lifting platform - the saddle and paddle. The jacks with saddle lifting platforms are the most widespread. They are able to easily lift not just motorcycles but other heavy equipment such as snowmobiles, quad bikes, lawnmowers, and heavy bulky parts of a car. If you are choosing a jack with a saddle lifting platform, look out for the base; the bigger it is, the more stable the jack will be. The jacks with paddle lifting platforms are usually designed as wheeled stands to support front and rear forks of motorcycles. These jacks are perfect for changing of wheels and small repairs of sports bikes. Considering the jack with paddle lifting platforms, you need to know the distance between these platforms. Generally, it ranges from 7 to 13 inches. So, you should remember that the minimum distance between lifting platforms should not be less than the width of your motorcycle’s forks, otherwise the jack may not fit.

Lifting capacity and range

Lifting capacity and range are probably the most important features of motorcycle jacks. The lifting capacity means the maximum load a jack is able to lift. The lifting range is the height to which a jack can raise a load. These parameters will help you understand which type of repairs you can perform and vehicles you can use it for. The minimum lifting height of a jack, also called clearance, will let you know the type of equipment it's best for. A foot pedal will help you lift your motorcycle when it is impossible to do with hands. The safety systems and locks will prevent accidents. The accessory adapters will help you increase the lifting height and make your jack compatible with a wider range of motorcycles.